Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Rusty

Writing is not like riding a bicycle.

They say you never forget how to ride a bike.
Whether it’s been a year or twenty, they say
you could pull your old ten-speed
right out of the garage
and tour the neighborhood effortlessly.
Your seat may be sore, of course,
but you’re riding.

Today I sit down to write,
sorely out of practice, but thinking
surely I can manage
a quick spin around the block.
I may be rusty, but after all, I have been using words
all along, even if not so deliberately.
Instead I find myself wobbling
down the driveway,
having completely forgotten how
to pedal through a poem.
I get only as far as the street
before I’m ready to turn around.

Like a nervous child learning
to ride alone, I’m all too aware
of the hard, ungiving ground beneath me.
Too old to put those training wheels back on,
I think I’d rather like to park the bike
and head inside.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That poem proves that you are not rusty, not in the least. Beautifully written, Amy.

Kayla said...

Amy, when I read that poem I laughed outloud!!! Here's why, first of all, it's funny because I am picturing you trying to peddle a bike down your driveway and wobbling all over. Secondly, you are just MUCH too hard on yourself. Don't fret it girl, God doesn't take gifts away once he's given them. And third, when you write about Elijah, sometimes you use words in ways I would never even begin to think of and have even had to look some up in the dictionary before. You write when you aren't writing and you are too blind by critism of yourself to see it. It's funny. Laugh Amy, it's funny. You got it.

Anonymous said...

This is so great! I wish I could write half as good as you!

Jules said...

I'm so glad you're blogging again!

Anonymous said...

You still got it, gir'frin. Enjoy the ride.

Jamie Hilty said...

Amy, you've done it, but isn't it hard to get out and try this again? I'm going through the same struggles right now...who knew it would be a challenge (but also a breath of fresh air) to write after so long away? If you'd ever like accountability or just someone to read your writing, I'm here.
Jamie